Security Reminder – Presidential Inauguration

May 25, 2011

The following message is being issued jointly by the U.S. Embassy Abuja and U.S. Consulate General Lagos for U.S. citizens in Nigeria.

We are issuing this Warden Message to inform U.S. citizens in Nigeria of an increased potential for violence, crime, heavy traffic congestion, road blocks, and traffic accidents in the greater Abuja -- Federal Capital Territory area in conjunction with the ceremonies and celebrations for the Inauguration of President Goodluck Jonathan on May 29, 2011.

U.S. citizens should avoid areas likely to be frequented by large crowds, including Shehu Shagari Way, Eagle Square, Millennium Park, and adjacent locations associated with the inauguration celebrations.  You should remain vigilant, maintain situational awareness, and take appropriate security precautions to ensure your own safety.

The Department of State encourages U.S. citizens living overseas or planning to travel abroad to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), found online at https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui.   By enrolling in STEP, we can keep you up to date with important safety and security announcements.  Enrolling in STEP will also make it easier for the Embassy to contact you in the event of an emergency.  You should remember to keep all of your information in STEP up to date; it is particularly important when you enroll or update your information to include a current phone number and e-mail address.

U.S. citizens are strongly encouraged to maintain a high level of vigilance, be aware of local events, and take the appropriate steps to bolster their personal security.  For additional information, please refer to "A Safe Trip Abroad" at:  http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/safety/safety_1747.html.

U.S. government facilities worldwide remain at a heightened state of alert.  These facilities may temporarily close or periodically suspend public services to assess their security posture.  In those instances, U.S. embassies and consulates will make every effort to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens. U.S. citizens abroad are urged to monitor the local news and maintain contact with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

As the Department of State continues to develop information on potential security threats to U.S. citizens overseas, it shares credible threat information through its Consular Information Program documents, such as Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts as well as Country Specific Information, which are available on the Bureau of Consular Affairs website at http://travel.state.gov/. Stay up to date by bookmarking our Bureau of Consular Affairs website.  Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/travelgov and the Bureau of Consular Affairs page on Facebook at www.facebook.com/travelgov as well.

We continue to advise all U.S. citizens to review their personal security plans, remain aware of their surroundings, monitor local news stations for updates, and report specific incidences of targeted violence to the U.S. Embassy in Abuja or the U. S. Consulate General in Lagos at the numbers below. 

The U.S. Embassy in Abuja, http://nigeria.usembassy.gov, is located at Plot 1075 Diplomatic Drive, Central Business District, Abuja; the local number is 09-461-4000.  If you are calling from the United States, please dial 011 (234) (9) 461-4000.  E-Mail: ConsularAbuja@state.gov. 

For after-hours emergencies, U.S. citizens should call: 011 (234) (9) 461-4000 and ask to speak with the duty officer. 

The U.S. Consulate General is located at 2 Walter Carrington Crescent, Victoria Island, Lagos.  American citizens can call [234] (1) 460-3600 during office hours (Monday through Thursday 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.).  For after-hours emergencies, call [234] (1) 460-3400 or 0805-301-0268.  The e-mail address for the Consular Section in Lagos is Lagosacs@state.gov. 

For after-hours emergencies U.S. citizens should call: [234] (1) 261-1414, 261-0195, 261-0078, 261-0139, or 261-6477 and ask to speak with the duty officer.